Select Local Merchants

Mother Earth Meats pledges to raise its antibiotic-free livestock under humane conditions, bolstering animals' quality of life as well as patrons' nutrient intake. Grass-fed cows, bison, and lambs yield butcher?s cuts chock-full of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and eggs laid by free-range chickens boast denser concentrations of nutrients than their conventional brethren. Staffers also stuff chorizo, andouille, brats, and other sausages by hand and even make a bison hot dog mixed with pork. Mother Earth sends finished meats on to groceries such as The Market in Maryville as well as eateries such as Blackberry Farm Restaurant in Walland and French Laundry in San Francisco. Additionally, the Beer Barn's staff is on hand to lend their knowledge to patrons looking to complement their cuts of meat with craft brews.

Carolina Outfitters' guides make the Nantahala River accessible to guests of all skill levels. The guides are intimately familiar with the 8 1/2-mile stretch of river, which is dam-controlled and boasts both class 2 and class 3 white water. This means that experienced rafters can chase speed and thrills, and beginners can maintain a more comfortable pace. Complementing the splashy fun is the scenery beyond the riverbanks; the raft trips wind through the Nantahala National Forest and offer witness to the Great Smoky Mountains.

At each of The Shrimp Dock's three locations, you can reap the fruits of fishermen's labors, inspecting market catches ranging from salmon and snapper to mussels, lobsters, and scallops. Their fresh Gulf shrimp comes in five sizes, ready to quell hungers ranging from petite to gargantuan. True to their origins, the markets also stock Cajun favorites, with recipe-ready meats including alligator and catfish. With shipments arriving straight from three coasts six days a week, their stock stays as fresh as it is delicious. In addition to filling area kitchens with just-caught seafood, The Shrimp Dock also specializes in prepared fare; lunch specials from the kitchen, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., include Knoxville's beloved Gulf shrimp and oyster po boys and homemade soup.
The Captain enthusiastically touts the potential benefits of a diet rich in fish, including regular doses of omega-3 fatty acids, reduction in risk of heart disease, and a conversation-starter with pelicans.

White columns connected by rock-façade arches line the walls and windows of the restaurant half of Holy Land Market & Deli. At the sunlit tables, guests order a variety of Middle Eastern dishes, such as freshly made falafel and lamb-kebab plates, or New York deli sandwiches such as corned beef and a meatball hero. The grocery-store section offers canned hummus, dates, and spices from all over the world.

The sandwich sages at Westland Market & Beer Gallery turn to a stockpile of hand-sliced meats to construct portable dining masterpieces, all of which make up the eatery's hefty menu of deli delights. Oven-roasted turkey tags out corned beef to accompany the savory stack of sauerkraut, swiss, and thousand-island dressing that composes the turkey Reuben ($4.49 for a 6"). The smoked chicken-salad sub ($7.29 for a 12") spans the distance between two slices of wheat bread with smoked all-white-meat chicken salad and a brace of red onion and sliced tomato. Logan's pulled-pork sandwich ($5 for double meat) lays down a hearty pile of double-rub barbecue pork upon a sesame bun while democratizing the sandwich-ordering process with a choice of sweet or spicy sauce. Locally roasted coffee keeps diners from falling asleep while tucking napkins into their shirt collars, and pies wait in the wings to satisfy postmeal munching.

For fast food in Knoxville's Knoxville neighborhood, check out the burger menu at McDonald's.
Keep your diet in check at McDonald's, a local restaurant with gluten-free and low-fat menu items.
Large groups will appreciate McDonald's for its ability to seat them quickly.
Or, take your food to go.
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Prices at McDonald's are a bargain (usually less than $15 for a meal), so you'll have plenty of cash left over to treat a friend (or two).
McDonald's has menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — just pick your favorite meal and head over.